Do the best Tripods have to cost an arm and a leg?

The VT-802 (£19.99 inc VAT) is what you'd call a basic model it's sleek, appears durable but not exactly robust, the IY-232 (£34.99 inc VAT) namely a pro video/photography tripod is a larger version of the 802 but with the addition of a long lever for panning and a rather groovy handle. Finally but by no means least we have the daddy which is the Giotto MT9170 (£119.99 inc VAT) this looks very promising it's got padded legs and a rather dinky toolbox complete with dinky tools.

	The VT-802 The smallest of the bunch is the VT-802, it's very lightweight and the legs have 3 sections and each section has a tab which you can flick open allowing the legs to drop via that clever thing called gravity. This means that the tripod can be deployed very quickly which is very useful. The centre column can be locked by a simple twist and a three sided brace allows the tripod to be used in small tight areas. The pan and tilt head is a little clunky but it does the job and the quick release plate again makes this a good choice if you need to get your camera back in your mitts pretty damn quick. The feet of the VT-802 are small chunks of rubber - these will suffice when you're out and about in town but in the country they might sink a bit. This would prove ok for a compact user but not for anything a bit weighty. We clicked with: The price The weight (or lack of) Leg tabs Shots in the dark: Not that stable Small feet Brace cannot be locked Scores: Design: 6 Ease of Use: 8 Value: 9
	The IY-232 Next up is the larger IY-232 it's heavier which makes it appear more sturdy but it's not too heavy if you're lugging it on location. The legs once again are in three sections and tabbed for fast release. The studs on the legs are just like the VT-802 but slightly larger, the main difference is that it has a ratchet centre column which is raised and lowered by using a small handle. I can't help thinking that you could easily get something stuck in the teeth of the centre column - perhaps it's a girl thing. If you need to raise/lower the height at speed this is not the tripod to choose although it would be more than adequate for landscapes, which tend to stay put. However the 232 has got a locking collar for the central brace which gives it extra rigidity and the centrally positioned handle is a useful addition. The pan and tilt head has two spirit levels and a dial with degrees - handy for panoramics and the main lever can be shortened which is pretty nifty, as you would expect it's also got a quick release plate. This would be suitable for bridge and DSLR cameras. We clicked with: The weight Head with defined degrees A lockable central brace Shots in the dark: The ratchet centre column Slow to adjust height No spiked feet Scores: Design: 8 Ease of Use: 7 Value: 8
	The MT 9170 Finally there's the MT 9170 which is a seriously piece of kit, it's solidly built and on a long trip it could prove too heavy but someone has obviously thought about weight and comfort at the design stage as if you carry the 9170 over your shoulder the padded legs would provide comfort and support. Each leg can be moved independently which is a real plus point for uneven terrain and awkward spaces. The legs are divided into three and are secured by chunky twist and locks, rather than tabs - in principle it's an alternative but in practise slow as you have to twist them all the way to lock. There's also leg lock levers at the top and a central leg angle setting ring basically enabling you to lock the legs for pre-determined positions. The feet are big knobs, they're big and they're knob shaped. The centre column is locked by a twist and lock which is tediously slow although it has a handy retractable hook if you wish to weigh your tripod down. The centre column can be reversed should you wish to shoot from a very low angle and it's also got a tiny spirit level on the top. There's also a small box of tools designed with a plastic wrench on one end - inside it contains allen keys and a little metal threaded tube which I'm sure must fit somewhere important, all-in-all a very thoughtful add-on to take on your travels. The MT9170 is a good choice for the DSLR user. We clicked with: Padded legs Independent legs Leg angle setting ring Shots in the dark: Twist and lock No spike option on feet Only one spirit level Scores: Design: 9 Ease of Use: 7 Value: 8

The MH-1000 Tripod Head
Giotto also despatched a rather impressive fluid ball head called the MH-1000 which consists of a circular base unit with a short column and ball & socket. It can be matched with various Giotto quick release plates. The markings on the base, a locking knob and a nice smooth gearing make it a joy to use when shooting panoramics/panning. Two further knobs on either side of the column provide calibrated tension and a lock for the head. Attaching a DSLR with a serious lens would not be a problem as this is incredibly sturdy piece of kit - on the box it says the loading capacity is 10kgs - it's a Van Damme of tripod heads. Also in the box is a black pouch (with drawstring): a serious head demands serious packaging.

Our Verdict

The VT0802 is a basic tripod, you get what you pay for but it's light well made and great when you're out and about. The IY-232 is more substantial and the perfect option for landscape photography. Finally the MT9170 is the best bet if you're after a tripod that's incredibly tough and one that can cope with uneven terrain. If I could describe my dream tripod it would be as light as the VT802, as sturdy as the 232 and possess the padding of the MT9170. But with a name like VT802-232-9170 I can't see it catching on.